elit® Vodka and Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel Announce Opening of Private Club, THE elit® Backstage

Private club will host world’s most renowned DJ’s, high-powered celebrities and exclusive guests,
located within Ibiza’s top-rated open-air dance club and beach hotel

 
Luxembourg (6 July 2016) – elit® Vodka, announced today the opening of Ibiza’s most exclusive private club, THE elit® Backstage, in partnership with the Palladium Hotel Group and Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel. The first of its kind, THE elit® Backstage is a private club nestled inside the Ushuaïa Club and will be host to world-famous DJ’s, celebrities and select guests.

The backstage area will be opened for around  80 hand-selected Ushuaïa VIPs each evening, and features a stunning designed interior, elit® DJ booth and bar for which guests can enjoy signature elit Vodka cocktails and bottle service.

A focal point within THE elit® Backstage are the elit Vodka lockers.  These set of lockers will be reserved and customized for six of the evening’s most notable guests.  Hand-selected by Ushuaïa’s CEO & Artistic Director Yann Pissenem, these lockers will have a personalized name plate on them and include the highly sought after elit® Ushuaïa Limited Edition bottle for them to enjoy throughout the night.

“The elit® Ushuaïa Limited Edition bottle we launched this April was met with worldwide success, and we are thrilled to add another ultra-luxury element to Ushuaïa,” said Piet-Hein Schnellen, elit® Global Marketing Manager. “The DJ’s will be working hard to entertain Ibiza’s world class party scene this summer. We’re thrilled to be able to provide them with a premium reprieve where they can relax and enjoy elit® Vodka.”

“We are continually looking to raise the bar on the ultimate luxury experience, particularly for our internationally famous DJ lineup,” said Danny Gómez Korf, Brand Ambassador and PR & Sponsorship Manager at Palladium Hotel Group. “Ushuaïa and elit® Vodka have a distinct sense of style, and we want our most important guests to experience that in THE elit Backstage. Everything from the décor to the drinks is unique; you won’t find this type of experience anywhere else in Ibiza or the world.”

About Stoli Group
Stoli Group (headquartered in Luxembourg) was established in 2013 as the division that is responsible for the production, management and distribution of SPI Group's global spirit portfolio - the iconic Stolichnaya® Premium vodka range, elit® Vodka and Moskovskaya®. With operational business units across 3 continents and distribution in more than 170 countries, the group is led by a multi-national management team with key office locations in Europe, USA and China.

With almost 1 bottle of Stolichnaya® Premium vodka sold every second, each one defines the benchmark for quality with a meticulously crafted liquid that meets the highest alcohol standards - Alpha Spirit. Stoli’s exceptional purity is achieved by controlling the process from grain to bottle, using only the highest quality ingredients and processes in the Group’s own, ultra-modern raw alcohol distillery in Tambov. The spirit then travels to Latvijas Balzams where it is blended with artesian water, quadruple filtered and bottled to become Stolichnaya® - as it has since 1938.

For more information follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/elitbystoli and on Twitter and Instagram at @elitbyStoli.

About Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel:
Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel is a luxurious 417-room hotel comprised of two buildings: The Ushuaïa Club, featuring an amazing poolside stage, and The Ushuaïa Tower, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Ushuaïa is dedicated to providing the best outdoor entertainment venue coupled with a modern, cutting-edge hotel experience. Designed for the discerning traveller seeking the fun and entertainment associated with Ibiza, Ushuaïa continuously raises the bar –from Swim-Up room options, daytime parties hosted by celebrated DJs, to “chromotherapy,” the ability to set the mood to their rooms with LED lights, ensuring that the party never stops.  Its collection of dining options is unrivalled, from Ibiza’s first premier steakhouse Montauk and Minami serving sushi and other Japanese delicacies, to The Oyster and Caviar Bar beside the pool and the relaxed Ushuaïa Beach Club providing the perfect fuel for Ibiza party-goers.
 Visit www.ushuaiabeachhotel.com
 
About Palladium Hotel Group:
Palladium Hotel Group is a Spanish hotel chain with over forty years of experience. The chain has 50 hotels in six countries: Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Sicily (Italy) and Brazil and operates four brands: Palladium Hotels & Resorts‒with four sub brands: The Royal Suites by Palladium, Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts, Palladium Hotels and Palladium Boutique Hotels‒, Fiesta Hotels & Resorts, Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels and Ayre Hoteles‒with sub brand Only YOU Hotel & Lounge‒,as well as  licensed brand Hard Rock Hotels. The Palladium Hotel Group hotels are characterized by their philosophy of offering customers a high standard of quality in its products and services and excellent value.  Palladium Hotel Group is owned by Grupo Empresas Matutes (GEM).
Visit www.palladiumhotelgroup.com



Drink with care. elit® Vodka. 40% Alc/Vol. Distilled from grain. © 2016. All rights reserved.® - registered trademarks, depending on the country, of ZHS IP Americas Sàrl, ZHS IP Europe Sàrl, ZHS IP Worldwide Sàrl, Spirits International B.V., or Spirits Product International Intellectual Property B.V.

Furla opens new store in Siem Reap Galleria

Furla is delighted to announce the opening of a new store in the Siem Reap Galleria, in partnership with DFS.

The 20sqm generic store was officially opened in May with Furla’s SS16 collection.

“DFS are always a pleasure to work with and I thank them very much for their continued support and belief in the brand,” says Furla’s Global Travel Retail Director, Gerry Munday. “The Siem Reap Galleria is a stunning location and it is an honor to have Furla present there.”

Aurora’s new winter collection provides perfect opportunity for incremental sales

Aurora World has introduced a new range of cute and cuddly plush for the 2016-17 winter season that is ideal for travel retail gifting and impulse purchase sale.

Designed to appeal to all ages, collections feature both animals associated with winter climates and fun characters guaranteed to attract travelling consumers.

Penguins are a main focus with two-tone grey whimsical Pom Pom Penguins from 6in to 16in with different characters including options with bright pink, blue, brown and purple ‘fur coats’ or winter hats, and realistic Frosty Penguin from 11in to 29in. Retailing from £10 to £40, these super-soft plush collections make a lovely gift for all ages.

Aurora’s recently added range of Gnomes is given a winter look with colourful, sparkling hats in various colours; while the ever popular YooHoo brand includes Pammee with holly and ivy head decorations and party dresses.

For point of sale, Aurora’s counter display of YooHoo winter friends is perfect to encourage last minute impulse purchases, adding to the average basket size.

Aurora’s Travel Retail Sales Manager, Garry Stoner comments: “Seasonal plush is a must for travel retail, perfect for gifting and impulse purchase. Aurora's offer is perfect for the category as retailers seek to maximise the additional sales potential at seasonal and celebratory times of the year.”

Stoner emphasises that now is the time to be planning the winter plush offer. “The buying season for plush is similar to fashion, with deliveries from the end of September,” he says. “It’s important to get stocks in place in good time; Christmas is the number one gift-giving season for plush, but the selling opportunities for winter plush extend from November through to the end of February offering operators  significant opportunities for incremental sales.”

Stoner states that themed plush in particular is a sure-fire means of increasing average spend per head and conversion levels; “Introducing themed promotion areas for seasonal events can both act as a draw into the retail space and boost impulse sales.”


About Aurora
Korean-owned, Aurora is a global company recognised for quality, soft, huggable toy designs. With over 30 years of experience in research and development, manufacturing and customer service, Aurora strives to deliver new and wide-ranging handcrafted gifts to give many years of pleasure and enjoyment… delivering its message of 'Gifts of Smiles.'

William Grant partners with Lagardère travel retail to launch Glenfiddich distillery tour at BUY PARIS DUTY FREE

Stunning new experience takes visitors from all over the world into the heart and home of Glenfiddich

William Grant & Sons has partnered with Lagardère Travel Retail to open a pop up shop for Glenfiddich – the world’s most awarded single Scotch malt whisky -  at Paris Charles de Gaulle, Terminal E, Gate L throughout June. This experiential shop enables travellers to take a distillery tour with a difference - whisky enthusiasts can now visit the famous Glenfiddich Dufftown distillery using ground breaking virtual reality (VR) technology.

The 29 sq m pop-up shop combines French and English language and imagery to attract visitors into the area, highlighting the opportunity to “Journey into the Mind of the Malt Master”, along with the availability of Travel Retail Exclusives and “Rare and Exquisite Whiskies”.

The Virtual Reality experience is an ambitious project that takes viewers from Paris directly into the heart and soul of the Glenfiddich distillery, highlighting the mastery and craft of single malt whisky production. Users are taken on a 360° journey, soaring above the Speyside countryside and from there are plunged into the distillery. They are given a unique perspective from inside a mash tun, steaming copper pot stills slide past, fermenters drop down and thousands of casks in the warehouse build up around them. Hosted by a charming Scottish guide, the iconic Glenfiddich stag makes a memorable appearance or two.

Alongside the VR experience, anyone purchasing a bottle of Glenfiddich is offered a specially designed gift card for extra personalisation and uniqueness.

William Grant & Sons’ regional marketing manager Emma Humphreys said: “At William Grant & Sons we’re continually looking at new ways to introduce consumer engagement and theatre within the airport retail environment; in a way that reflects the DNA of the brand in question. This virtual distillery tour continues the rich vein of innovation that Glenfiddich is known for, using cutting edge technology to take travellers into the heart of the brand’s family-based, craft-orientated heritage.”

Adds Lagardère Travel retail Product Management Director – Liquor, Tobacco, Food, Electronics, Toys,  Francoise Flament: “We work regularly with William Grant & Sons to bring activations into the airport that really have a positive effect on the relationship we have with our customers. Once again, they have exceeded our expectations with the Glenfiddich pop up shop and distillery tour. Using cutting edge VR technology allows passengers to be truly in the Glenfiddich story and its Dufftown home, creating both memorable experiences and showcasing the Scotch whisky brand. This reflects well on the category as a whole, raising interest and improving traffic flow in the total retail area.”

Journey into the Mind of the Malt Master is being premiered at Buy Paris Duty Free and will be showcased at other key airport locations globally throughout this year. The film will also be available live online, across the brand’s social channels and maximising the recently updated VR functionality on YouTube and Facebook.

Aurora World creates merchandising unit for travel retail

Specialist plush toy company, Aurora World has created a merchandise unit specifically for travel retail that combines maximum display ability on minimum floor space.  Designed to capitalize on the impulse nature of plush, the unit is ideal for spot placing throughout the retail environment – not just the children’s/toy area.

Aurora Travel Retail Sales Manager Garry Stoner says “The availability of plush is a sure-fire means of increasing average spend per head and conversion levels, but it is generally not a pre-planned purchase. This attractive, three-sided merchandise unit enables up to 160 pieces from the Aurora range to be displayed on just 0.650sqm of floor space. Branded Aurora, when full of bright and colourful plush, the unit is a beacon for passengers of all ages.”

Stoner suggests that the merchandising unit could be used throughout the store along with satellite retail areas. “Encouraging incremental sales is what it’s all about and this unit is the perfect way to do that. We have selected our top 20 “best selling items” retailing for key pick up price points between $10 and $20. The merchandising unit is available from June 2016; already operators Dufry, Aerrianta International and Setur have listed for selected locations.”

INVU ultra polarized expands its Travel Retail footprint with prestigious listing on Virgin Atlantic Airways

Swiss Eyewear Group and DFASS are expanding their successful partnership by listing Swiss Eyewear Group’s innovative INVU ultra polarized sunglasses on board of Virgin Atlantic Airways modern fleet of 38 planes. Two brand new INVU ultra polarized summer 2016 fashion styles for men and women will be available. As a special introductory offer, a limited edition hand-made acetate sunglass bracelet will be offered to customers, complimentary with the purchase of a pair of INVU sunglasses.

As part of Swiss Eyewear Group’s outstanding customer service, the Virgin Atlantic Airways flight crews have been trained by Swiss Eyewear Group. Crew members have learned about INVU’s proprietary ultra polarized lens technology, the outstanding UV protection these sunglasses offer and the meticulous Swiss design and engineering process of Swiss Eyewear Group.

For further information about INVU sunglasses in Travel Retail, please contact martyn@newthing.uk.com

Taoyuan sees arrival of new Furla store

Furla is pleased to announce the opening of a new 15sqm personalized corner in Taoyuan International Airport, T2 North.

Officially opened on the 22nd of June in partnership with Tasa Meng, the store carries Furla’s stunning SS16 collection.

Says Gerry Munday, Furla’s Global Travel Retail Director: “This was our first time working in partnership with Tasa Meng, and I thank them for their support and look forward to working with them again in the future. Furla is really on a high in Asia, and our team have been working tirelessly to open new stores across the continent and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the year.”